Principal Reliability Engineer - Maintenance & Ground Systems

Application close date:

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We're working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

As a Principal Reliability Engineer within Operations, you will own reliability for tooling, machinery, and ground systems across Blue Origin. You will set enterprise standards, lead high-severity investigations, and drive cross-functional improvements that increase safety, availability, and lifecycle performance of mission-critical ground assets. Focus areas include fluid/cryogenic, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems; electrical power distribution; controls/PLC/SCADA; cranes and lifting/handling tooling; test stands and other ground support equipment. This role emphasizes design, maintenance, and operations of ground systems and tooling.

Key Responsibilities

* Define and lead the company reliability strategy for ground systems, tooling, and machinery (e.g., RCM, FMECA, FRACAS), ensuring consistent application across sites.

* Establish reliability requirements and acceptance criteria for new and modified ground assets; champion design-for-reliability, maintainability, and accessibility in reviews.

* Lead/support complex root cause investigations for high-priority events; implement durable corrective and preventive actions across design, maintenance plans, procedures, and spares strategies.

* Build and maintain asset criticality frameworks, reliability models, and KPIs (availability, MTBF, MTTR); publish standards, dashboards, and playbooks used enterprise-wide.

* Author/approve maintenance strategies, condition monitoring plans, functional test/verification plans, commissioning/readiness, and reliability growth activities for new assets.

* Partner with Design, Test, Launch Operations, Facilities, EHS, and Supply Chain to prioritize risks and execute improvements; lead cross-functional tiger teams.

* Govern configuration and change control for ground assets; ensure accurate drawings, P&IDs, schematics, and maintenance/operating procedures.

* Mentor engineers and technicians; provide principal-level technical leadership and influence across programs and sites.

* Interface with suppliers on reliability requirements, qualification, and failure analysis; drive supplier corrective actions when needed.

* Ensure compliance with applicable codes/standards and Blue safety policies (e.g., OSHA, ASME, 91-710, and other relevant standards).

Minimum Qualifications

* B.S. in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Industrial, or related engineering discipline.

* 10+ years of engineering experience with significant focus on reliability, maintenance, and operations of ground systems, tooling, or industrial assets in complex, safety-critical environments.

* Demonstrated principal-level technical leadership with enterprise or multi-site scope; ability to lead and influence without direct authority.

* Hands-on expertise with reliability and causal analysis methods (FMEA/FMECA, fault tree, 5-Why, Weibull/RCM) and a track record of converting findings into durable improvements.

* Proficiency reading and interpreting P&IDs, electrical one-lines/schematics, and mechanical drawings; strong quantitative/data analysis skills.

* Strong written and verbal communication; ability to earn trust and drive alignment across Operations, Design, Test, and Safety.

* Must be a U.S. person (as defined by ITAR/EAR).

Preferred Qualifications

* M.S. in a relevant engineering discipline.

* Ground systems experience in aerospace or similarly complex operations (cryogenic propellants, high-pressure gases, hydraulics, power distribution, PLC/SCADA, cranes/lifting devices, test stands, machine tools).

* Experience establishing reliability governance and FRACAS across programs/sites.

* Predictive maintenance and condition monitoring experience (e.g., vibration, thermography, oil analysis, leak detection) and reliability growth/life testing.

* Risk and process safety experience (HAZOP/JHA).

Work Location and Travel

* On-site in Merritt Island, FL.

* Travel up to 25% to Kent, WA; Van Horn, TX; and Huntsville, AL.

* Occasional off-shift or on-call support during critical operations may be required.

Culture Statement

Don't meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S.as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue's Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.

• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on "Know Your Rights," please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin's Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

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